The Ebola outbreak continues to unfold in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. Jericho Road’s Wellness Clinic is continuing to operate and see patients. We are still delivering an average of nearly seven babies per day and providing high quality primary care to all. Our courageous local staff, headed by clinic director Chantal Mandro, have seen a large influx of patients and are gearing up for many more. We are also working with officials to set up an Ebola containment center in the city of Goma.
If you’ve been with us for a while, you know that our team in Goma has been through a lot. The city remains under rebel control since the war broke out there early last year. The banking system is still shut down and the population has swelled with internally displaced people who have fled the fighting. More than 800,000 people are sheltering very closely together in tent camps, making it very fertile ground for infectious disease to spread.
Because of supporters like you, our clinic remains open and we have implemented strict screening and hygiene protocols. Every single person who enters is tested for fever and other symptoms and those who recently traveled to the outbreak epicenter of neighboring Ituri province are separated. In order to protect vulnerable patients inside, any suspected Ebola cases are immediately transferred to the local hospital.
Through our partnership with Direct Relief, we are receiving a shipment packed with supplies needed to battle this disease and support patients as they recover: coveralls, respirators, goggles, antibiotics, IV fluids, oral rehydration salts, diagnostics, and chronic disease medications. In addition to our years of work in Goma, building trust, and strengthening health systems, this shipment is key to our response.
“As a federally qualified health center rooted in Buffalo, we see firsthand how health inequities affect our own community,” said CEO Dr. Allana Krolikowski. “But we also know that global health is local health and when systems collapse abroad, the ripple effects reach all of us. The people of Goma are our neighbors, too.”
Dr. Krolikowski was featured on WGRZ Channel 2 discussing the situation and our response.
Thank you for your continued support and prayers. We couldn’t do this without you. To join our efforts in containing and treating Ebola in the DRC, you can make a donation, or share this post with a friend.
